Vehicle for collecting refuse and the like

ABSTRACT

A refuse-collecting vehicle having a rear end loader bucket and a refuse container mounted on a truck chassis is disclosed wherein the bucket pivotally attached to a boom assembly is lifted and moved on the container along a locus substantially parallel to the length of the container for dumping the contents of the bucket in a uniform manner. A novel opening-and-closing mechanism for the bucket is also disclosed.

Elited States Patent lnventor Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Priority Hiroshi Hotta Zushi, Japan July 17, 1970 Jan. 4, 1972 Tokyo Sharyo Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha Yokohama, Japan July 14, 1970 Japan VEHICLE FOR COLLECTING REFUSE AND THE LIKE 2 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 214/501, 214/78, 214/146, 214/302 Int. Cl B60p 1/04 [50] Field of Search 214/501, 78, 302, 146 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,361,278 1/1968 Sperling 214/501 3,472,405 10/1969 Bowman et al. 214/501 Primary Examiner-Albert J. Makay Attorney-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack ABSTRACT: A refuse-collecting vehicle having a rear end loader bucket and a refuse container mounted on a truck chassis is disclosed wherein the bucket pivotally attached to a boom assembly is lifted and moved on the container along a locus substantially parallel to the length of the container for dumping the contents of the bucket in a uniform manner. A novel opening-and-closing mechanism for the bucket is also disclosed.

PATENTEU JAN M972 3,832,000

SHEET 1 [IF 4 INVENTOR.

H0151 EL/AM (M mamcnm 4m: 31632.000

SHEET 2 BF 4 I NVENTOR.

1M Ida H21. wuMKlM PATENTEDJAN 41972 SHEET 3 [1F 4 FIG? PATENTED JAN 4 I372 sum u 0F 4 FIG. 9

lNVliNTOR. [ML d BY Maw 1 VEHICLE FOR COLLECTING REFUSE AND THE LIKE This invention relates to refuse-collecting vehicles of the type customarily employed on city streets for the collection of trash, garbage and the like placed at the curbs of the streets.

Various types of refuse-collecting vehicles are known to be of utility for city street cleaning. Of late, there is a growing tendency in the city street cleaning that the collection of trash from the plastic containers now prevailing shifts to that of laminated bags containing refuse. The collection of laminated bags containing trash has several advantages in handling, such as, invisible refuse, no touch with it and no odor from it, and further, half the handling expense, yet twice the efficiency. The laminated bag is usually supplied either free of charge or at cost by a local community office or the like.

In the trash-collecting vehicle of this invention, it is necessary for the worker to pick up the trash bags placed on the curbs of the street and place them into a bucket. Then, the bucket loaded with several bags is lifted over the container mounted on the chassis by the hydraulic cylinders to be dumped thereinto. It takes about 20 seconds, for example, in one cycle from the buckets lowermost to the uppermost position for dumping.

As mentioned above, the refuse-collecting vehicle of this invention raises the bucket filled with refuse over the refuse container mounted on the chassis by means of the lift means including the hydraulic cylinders for dumping the refuse into the container and characterized in that the bucket moves along the path of locus substantially parallel to the length of the container, whereby the contents of the bucket are first dumped into the forward region, and then, gradually toward the rearward of the container in a unifonn manner.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a trash-collecting vehicle wherein the collection of trash can be effected in a safe, sanitary and efficient manner.

It is another object of the invention to provide a trash-collecting vehicle equipped with a bucket actuating hydraulic means wherein the operation of the bucket for picking up trash is lifted over the trash container for dumping by means of the hydraulic system in a quick and efiicient manner.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a trashcollecting vehicle wherein the moving path, i.e., locus of the bucket over the trash container is substantially parallel to the length thereof so as to dump trash from the front to the rear end of the container in a uniform manner.

It is still an additional object of the invention to provide a novel hydraulic opening-and-closing means for the bucket.

These and other more objects and advantages of a refusecollecting vehicle embodying the invention will be better understood from the specification which follows in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a refuse-collecting vehicle embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state wherein the refuse contained in the bucket is being dumped into the front region of the refuse container mounted on the chassis.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing how to place the bucket on the space between the cab and the container when not in use during either driving or parking.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a couple of positions on the moving path or locus of the bucket lifted over the container by the hydraulic means.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the positions of the bucket which dumps refuse into the container.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the state wherein the contents of the container are dumped through the tail gate by tilting the container.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the refuse container and the bucket.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a novel opening and closing mechanism of the bucket.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the bucket with its actuating means.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the bucket.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a of the bucket.

As shown in FIG. I, a refuse-collecting vehicle embodying the invention has a driver's cab at the fore and a hollow rectangular refuse container I mounted on a truck chassis. A loading bucket 3 is attached to the rear of the vehicle. In reference to the refuse placed in the bucket 3, it has been described as of being contained in the laminated bag. However, it is understood that refuse should not be always in the bag. Other substances than refuse, for example, such as gravel, cement, and soil may be handled and delivered in the bucket.

FIG. 2 shows that the bucket 3 is lified and moved to the fore region of the container 1 to dump the contents by causing the bottom of the bucket to open thereinto.

In FIG. 3, the bucket 3 is accommodated in the space between the cab and the container 1 when not in use during the travel of the vehicle from one place to another after the collection of trash or during parking in a parking area after the completion of one days work.

When the container 1 is full of refuse, it tilts relative to the chassis to dump its load through an open tailgate 2. The tailgate 2 is adapted to open or close as required.

FIGS. 4-5 show the operation of the bucket-actuating mechanism. In FIG. 4 the bucket 3 assumes its lowermost position to receive the refuse delivered by the worker in a solid line, and it is lifted over the container 1 to assume two positions, forward and backward, in a dotted line. In FIG. 5, the bucket 3 opens its bottom on the container 1 to dump the contents thereof in the solid line at the fore, and another one opens the bottom in the dotted line at the rear. It is seen that the bucket 3 consists of two sections hinged together and closed by a latch 10. Such construction of the loading bucket is known in the art. A novel automatic opening-and-closing means for the bucket will be described hereinafter. It is understood that any opening-and'closing means for the bucket will do.

In the bucket 3 having the latch 10 of the above construction shown in FIGS. 4-6, it is arranged that the bottom of the bucket is opened by the gravity of trash to cause it to fall into the container upon disengagement of the latch 10, and the bucket is automatically closed again by the latch as soon as it has dumped its contents.

part of the actuating means As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the bucket-actuating linkage mechanism in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a lift arm 4, a link 5, a telescopic link 6, and a hydraulic cylinder 7 with a piston. The lift arm 4 has three points of connection: the lowest point (FIG. 4) of connection is the one of pivotally connecting the bucket 3 to it; the second point of connection is the one which connects one end of the telescopic link 6 to it; and the third point is the one which pivotally connects the link to it. The link 5 has also three points of connection: one point is the one which connects one end of the piston of the cylinder 7 to it; another point is the one which connects the lift arm to it; and the and the last is the one 8 pivotally attached to the sidewall of the container. It should be noted that the bucket-actuating linkage is duplicated on each side of the vehicle; however, since both sides are identical, only side will be described.

In reference to the member 7, it is shown as of a hydraulic piston and cylinder in the drawing, but this is only exemplary. It is understood that the member 7 can be of any means consisting of, such as, toothed gear, mechanical or electric system as far as it functions to move the link member 5. The link 5 is pivotally attached at 8 to the sidewall of the container 1 while the telescopic link 6 is pivotally attached at 9 to the sidewall of the container. The bucket 3 is lifted and moved by the actuating linkage over the container along a moving path or locus A when the link 6 has a predetermined length. It has been found that the telescopic link 6 can be replaced with a nontelescopic or straight rod.

The operation of the bucket-actuating linkage is described in connection with FIG. 4. On retracting the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder 7, the link 5 turns clockwise around the pivot 8 to move the lift arm 4 anticlockwise so that the bucket is lifted in accordance with the path A and takes two positions shown in phantom over the container. As seen, the piston rod is connected to one end of the link 5, and the bucket is connected to one end of the lift arm 4.

When the bucket assumes either the forward position or backward one shown in phantom in FIG. 4 to open the latch, the refuse placed in the bucket falls down into the container as shown in FIG. 5. A suitable means, such as hydraulic or electromagnetic system, may be applied in order to engage or disengage the latch.

As mentioned above, as the foreregion of the container is full of refuse, the intermediate and rear regions thereof are gradually full of refuse by shifting an opening position of the bucket from one position to another in a uniform manner. As soon as the bucket has finished to dump its contents, the latch is automatically engaged to close it. On finishing the dumping, the link 5 is caused to turn in a direction opposite to the former one, that is, anticlockwise, and each member of the actuating linkage performs its action in a reverse way so that the bucket regains its lowermost position.

In reference to unloading of the refuse from the container and where to place the bucket when not in use, it has been mentioned. It is also understood that trash or the like can be loaded into the container from rear to front.

The position of the lift arm 4 and the function of the latch for opening the bucket 3 can be operatively associated by means of either electromagnetic or hydraulic system.

in place of the latch 10, the novel open-and-close means of the bucket shown in FIG. 8 may be applied. The open-andclose means of the bucket 3 is constructed as shown in FIG. 8 wherein the bucket 3 consists of two sections 3a and 3b, the intermediate portions of which are joumaled by a shaft 13 so that the bottom portion of each section 3a or 31; can be opened or closed. A driving means for opening or closing the bucket 3 comprises a hydraulic cylinder and a piston rod 16. The section 3b of the bucket 3 is joumaled by a shaft 14 to which the rear end of the cylinder 15 is also joumaled. The foremost end of the piston rod 16 has a pin 25 engaged with the slot 17 of a movable member 18. The movable member 18 consists of a pair of the similar ones having a similar function as shown in FIG. 11. The pair of the members 18 assure a safer function.

Both the section 3a of the bucket and a bent movable member 21 are joumaled by a shaft 20 (FIG. 11). The bent movable member 21 has a special form as shown in FIG. 11, and it is engaged at its upper portion at 19 with the movable member 18. The lower end of the bent movable member 21 is secured to a wire rope 22, the other end of which is attached to a knifelike stop member 23. The stop member 23 is journaled at 27 with the bucket section 3a. The stop member 23 is detachably engaged with a pin 24 attached to the bucket section 3b (FIG. 8). It has been described that the pin 25 attached to the bucket section is engaged with the slot 17 of the movable member 18.

In FIG. 8, the wire rope 22 is wound about a pulley 29, a spring attached to the stop member 23, and a pin 28.

In operation, when the piston rod 16 of the hydraulic cylinder 15 is retracted, the movable member 18 is pulled thereby and the bent movable member 21 is moved. Thus, the lower end of the member 21 is moved to the left as shown in phantom in FIG. 8, and the wire rope secured to the lower end of the member 21 is pulled upwardly to disengage the stop member 23 from the pin 24. Further, retracting the piston rod 16, the left end of the slot 17 is engaged with the pin 25 to pull the bucket section 3a. Accordingly, the bucket sections 30 and 31) open their respective bottoms around the shaft 13 as their center as shown in phantom. Thus, if trash is contained in the bucket, it falls down when the bucket opens.

If the piston rod 16 is extended, the bucket sections 30 and 3b close each other. If the piston rod 16 extends further, it pushes the movable member 18 to move the movable member 21. Then, the lower end of the member 21 moves to the ri t so that It releases the wire rope 22 to lower the stop mem r 23 by its own weight or by the spring 26 to engage it with the pin 24 in order to regain the closed position of the bucket.

As described above, by the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 15, the opening and closing of the bucket sections 30 and 3b and the engagement and disengagement of the pin 24 relative to the stop member 23 can be effected. As a result, the collection and dumping of refuse can be carried out in an efficient manner. It is understood that the bucket of the invention will be applied not only for refuse-collecting vehicles but also for other uses.

An actuating button for operating each of the hydraulic cylinders 7 and 15 can be installed at any place, such as, dashboard of vehicle, convenient for the driver.

As fully described in the foregoing, in accordance with the present invention, the driver can load the refuse delivered by the bucket into the container mounted on the chassis by actuating the hydraulic cylinder to ensure a uniform distribution of the refuse load throughout the container, whereby the time and labor for loading can be saved and the bucket can be placed on the space between the cab and the container when not in use.

Various modes and apparatuses for carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. In a refuse-collecting vehicle having a tiltable container mounted on a chassis and a loading bucket having a pair of sections at the rear thereof, in combination:

1. a loading bucket actuating linkage comprising,

a. a pair of hydraulic cylinders with pistons pivotally attached to the sidewall of said container,

b. a pair of links having three points of connection, one point being the connection of one end of said piston with said link, another point being the connection of the lift arm of (c) with said link, and the last point being the one pivotally attached to the sidewall of said container,

c. a pair of lift arms having three points of connection, one point being pivotally connecting said bucket with said lift arm, another point being the connection of one end of the telescopic link of (d) with said lift arm, and the last one being the connection of pivotally connecting said link with said lift arm, and

d. a telescopic link pivotally attached to the sidewall of said container,

2. a loading bucket opening-and-closing means comprising,

a. a hydraulic cylinder with a piston secured to the upper portion of said bucket,

b. a pair of movable members having a slot, said slot being engaged with a pin attached to one end of said piston,

c. a bent movable member disposed between said pair of movable members having the slot,

d. a wire rope around a pulley, said wire rope being secured to the lower end of said bent movable member at one end thereof and secured to a stop member at the other end thereof, and

e. said stop member of (d) being joumaled with one section of said bucket, and being detachably engaged with a pin attached to the other section of said bucket.

2. A refuse-collecting vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said telescopic link can be replaced by a rod. 

1. In a refuse-collecting vehicle having a tiltable container mounted on a chassis and a loading bucket having a pair of sections at the rear thereof, in combination:
 1. a loading bucket actuating linkage comprising, a. a pair of hydraulic cylinders with pistons pivotally attached to the sidewall of said container, b. a pair of links having three points of connection, one point being the connection of one end of said piston with said link, another point being the connection of the lift arm of (c) with said link, and the last point being the one pivotally attached to the sidewall of said container, c. a pair of lift arms having three points of connection, one point being pivotally connecting said bucket with said lift arm, another point being the connection of one end of the telescopic link of (d) with said lift arm, and the last one being the connection of pivotally connecting said link with said lift arm, and d. a telescopIc link pivotally attached to the sidewall of said container,
 2. a loading bucket opening-and-closing means comprising, a. a hydraulic cylinder with a piston secured to the upper portion of said bucket, b. a pair of movable members having a slot, said slot being engaged with a pin attached to one end of said piston, c. a bent movable member disposed between said pair of movable members having the slot, d. a wire rope around a pulley, said wire rope being secured to the lower end of said bent movable member at one end thereof and secured to a stop member at the other end thereof, and e. said stop member of (d) being journaled with one section of said bucket, and being detachably engaged with a pin attached to the other section of said bucket.
 2. a loading bucket opening-and-closing means comprising, a. a hydraulic cylinder with a piston secured to the upper portion of said bucket, b. a pair of movable members having a slot, said slot being engaged with a pin attached to one end of said piston, c. a bent movable member disposed between said pair of movable members having the slot, d. a wire rope around a pulley, said wire rope being secured to the lower end of said bent movable member at one end thereof and secured to a stop member at the other end thereof, and e. said stop member of (d) being journaled with one section of said bucket, and being detachably engaged with a pin attached to the other section of said bucket.
 2. A refuse-collecting vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said telescopic link can be replaced by a rod. 